Bella LaCasto Ascends to Associate Head Coach for UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Bella LaCasto has been promoted to associate Head Coach for the UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer team, marking a significant milestone for the program. Head coach Andy McNab announced the promotion, recognizing LaCasto’s invaluable contributions over her four seasons. This elevation highlights LaCasto’s pivotal role in the team’s achievements,including their recent appearance in the Big South Conference Tournament. her dedication, both on and off the field, has been a driving force behind the Bulldogs’ success, signaling a promising future for the program.
LaCasto’s impact on the UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer program has been considerable since her arrival. During the 2024 season, her fourth with the team, she was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to four wins and securing the program’s first berth in the Big South Conference Tournament since 2016.The team clinched the No. 6 seed on the final day of the regular season with a 1-0 victory at Charleston Southern,showcasing the team’s resilience and LaCasto’s strategic influence.
the 2024 season also saw individual players achieve significant recognition, further highlighting the program’s growth under LaCasto’s guidance. Freshman Mercedes McNabb earned Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 23, becoming the first Bulldog freshman as 2012 to score a hat trick. McNabb’s outstanding performance led to her being named to the All-Conference Second Team, alongside team captain Anna Doane. Ava bjorkman-Tracy was also recognized, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention and a spot on the All-Academic Team, demonstrating the program’s commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.
I am delighted to announce Bella’s promotion to Associate Head Coach of the program.
andy McNab, UNC Asheville Head Coach
McNab further emphasized LaCasto’s importance to the program, stating, Her commitment to UNC Asheville and the Women’s Soccer program can be seen day in and day out, on and off the field. She has been an integral part of the program’s success and continued success in the future.
This sentiment underscores the deep respect and appreciation for LaCasto’s contributions within the UNC Asheville athletic community.
The 2023 season marked a turning point for the Bulldogs, with LaCasto’s guidance contributing to their first winning season as 2015. The team posted a record of 7-6-4 and achieved a program record by going seven matches without a loss between Aug. 20 and Sept. 23.several players earned Big South Conference weekly awards, including Karlee Benz (Co-Freshman of the Week, Aug. 21), Lexi Dooley (Defensive Player of the Week, Aug. 21),Nao Kawasaki (Aug.28), Shae Hassig (Sept.5), and Anna Doane (Sept. 11). The program also celebrated six College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors and received the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the second consecutive season, highlighting the team’s dedication to academic achievement.
In 2022, LaCasto coached three All-Conference selections: Azalea Mihalovich (Second Team and All-Freshman Team), Anna Doane (Second Team), and Bronwyn Luitwieler (All-Academic Team).Additionally, six players – Jasmine Barry, Ava Bjorkman-Tracy, Carson Bogan, barrett Eidson, olivia Lenderman, and Luitwieler – were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections, further demonstrating the program’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.
lacasto’s initial season with the Bulldogs saw the team achieve their most conference wins since 2004 (five) and their most overall wins since 2016 (six). After a strong finish, winning three of their last four matches, Asheville concluded the season with a 6-11-1 overall record and a 5-5 record in Big South play. Three players received All-Big South Honors: Gillian Oyos (Second Team), Kaiya Boyd (Honorable Mention), and Taylor Gardner (All-Freshman), while Courtney O’Malley was named to the all-Academic squad, showcasing the immediate impact of LaCasto’s coaching and leadership.
Before joining UNC Asheville,LaCasto worked alongside McNab at Barton in 2020,where they achieved a 4-4-1 record in the spring of 2021 during a COVID-shortened season. Prior to Barton,she served as an assistant coach at Concord University in West Virginia. During her time at Concord, LaCasto coached two All-americans (Leah foster, Mira Kontio), nine All-Mountain East Conference selections, and seven all-region selections, contributing to the Mountain Lions’ extraordinary 19-2 record in 2019, demonstrating her ability to develop talent and contribute to winning programs.
LaCasto’s connection to UNC Asheville runs deep, having played midfield for the Bulldogs in 74 games, starting 58 of them. She captained the team during her junior and senior years, starting 32 of her last 33 games. A Clayton, north Carolina native, LaCasto graduated from UNC Asheville in 2019 with a degree in health and wellness promotion and earned her master’s degree in health promotion from Concord in May 2021, highlighting her commitment to both athletic and academic pursuits.
I would like to thank AD Cone, Andy and all of our management for trusting me with this new role. UNC Asheville holds a special place in my heart and it has been an honor to work here for the past four years. I’m excited to take on new responsibilities in this role and for us to continue building our program.
Bella LaCasto, UNC Asheville Associate Head Coach
Bella LaCasto’s promotion to Associate Head Coach reflects her unwavering dedication and significant contributions to the UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer program. Her leadership, coaching acumen, and commitment to the student-athletes have been instrumental in the team’s recent successes. As she steps into this new role, LaCasto is poised to continue shaping the future of the program and building upon its foundation of excellence, ensuring a radiant future for UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer.
Coaching Triumph: Bella LaCastoS Ascent to Associate Head Coach at UNC Asheville—A New Era for Women’s Soccer?
Did you know that a former player’s return to their alma mater as an associate head coach can signal not just a change in personnel, but a fundamental shift in a programme’s philosophy and potential for long-term success? Let’s delve into the inspiring story of Bella LaCasto and her impact on the UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer team. I’m here today wiht Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned sports leadership expert and professor of athletic administration, to analyze LaCasto’s promotion and its implications.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, Bella LaCasto’s promotion to Associate Head Coach at UNC Asheville is important. What makes this appointment so noteworthy,beyond the typical coaching advancement?
Dr. Emily Carter: The significance of LaCasto’s promotion extends beyond a simple title change.Her journey embodies a powerful narrative for aspiring female coaches and underscores the transformative potential of hiring former players in leadership roles. LaCasto’s intimate understanding of UNC Asheville’s culture, coupled with her proven coaching successes at various levels, creates a unique synergy likely to foster player development and team success on an unprecedented level. This isn’t just about filling a position; it’s about strategic program building.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: The article highlights several successful seasons under LaCasto’s influence, notably the Bulldogs’ return to the Big South Conference Tournament after several years.How crucial is a coach’s understanding of program history and challenges to achieving such wins?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely crucial. LaCasto’s experience as a former player at UNC Asheville provides invaluable context. She understands the program’s inherent strengths, weaknesses, and historical context— elements often overlooked by external coaching candidates. The ability to build upon existing foundations, learning from past failures, and capitalizing on past successes are all crucial aspects of successful coaching strategies. Her familiarity with the institution also fosters stronger connections and rapport with players and university administration.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: The article also mentions LaCasto’s mentorship of several players who achieved significant individual honors, like All-Conference selections and Academic All-District awards. How critically important is coaching that nurtures both athletic and academic excellence?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s paramount. Holistic coaching that values both academic achievement and athletic prowess is essential for producing well-rounded student-athletes. LaCasto’s success is further accentuated by her ability to foster an habitat where individual players excel academically, as well as contributing to an increasingly powerful program. It cultivates leadership, responsibility, and time management skills, significantly benefiting the athletes’ future potential beyond their collegiate careers. Universities are increasingly emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach, and LaCasto’s program is a shining example of its effectiveness.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Beyond on-field success, what other intangible qualities make a great associate head coach, and how does LaCasto seem to embody these?
Dr. Emily Carter: Beyond tactical expertise and strategic planning, qualities like strong dialog, emotional intelligence, and team building, all of which were evident in her prior work and appear to be integral to the future of the UNC Asheville team, are essential. A great associate head coach acts as a mentor, advisor, and motivator, creating a supportive and demanding environment where athletes feel empowered to reach their full potential. The article consistently highlights LaCasto’s commitment to player development and her strong relationships with the team. These intangible qualities will lead to continued success.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What can aspiring female coaches learn from LaCasto’s story and what advice would you give them looking to achieve similar success in their careers?
Dr. Emily Carter: LaCasto’s story is incredibly inspiring. My advice to aspiring female coaches is threefold:
- Gain diverse experience: Work at different levels and with different programs gaining varied experiences both in coaching and athletics.
- Build strong networks: Cultivate mentors and build relationships within the coaching community both within women’s sports leagues as well as intercollegiate athletics.
- Embrace holistic coaching: Prioritize player development and well-being both emotionally and academically. This approach fosters better teamwork, commitment, and ultimately enhances a program’s long-term success.
World-Today-news.com Senior Editor: Dr. carter, thank you for those immensely insightful comments. This interview provides crucial context to LaCasto’s accomplishment.
Dr. Emily Carter: My pleasure. I believe LaCasto’s promotion signals a positive shift within women’s college soccer, creating a pathway for future female coaches to ascend to top leadership positions.
What are your thoughts on Bella LaCasto’s promotion? Share your insights and predictions for the UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer program in the comments below, or share this interview on social media using #WomensSoccer #Coaching #UNCAsheville!